Method for removing and/or separating particles from fluid containing the same

ABSTRACT

Method having electrostatic means for removing particles from a fluid containing the same, the electrostatic means comprising charged electrode means electrically insulated from the fluid so that the electrostatic field thereof draws the particles into exit means of a passage defining means having the fluid therethrough. Such charged electrode means create a plurality of alternately arranged non-uniform fields across the fluid in the passage means so that the particles enter the exit means adjacent the more intense portions of the non-uniform fields, such electrodes also creating electroconvection in said fluid. Such passage means can comprise means for straight laminar flow of the fluid therethrough by being disposed adjacent or in another passage means having a particle receiving fluid stream flow therethrough. Such other passage means can receive particles of opposite polarity to neutralize the electric field created by charged particle separation.

United States Patent [191 Candor July 8, 1975 [54] METHOD FOR REMOVINGAND/OR 3,478,494 11/1969 Lustenader et 31. 204/180 R X SE A N PARTICLESFROM FLUID 3,496,701 2/1970 Owe Berg 204/180 R X CONTAINING THE SAMEInventor: James T. Candor, 5440 Cynthia Ln.,

Washington Twp., Ohio 45429 Filed: Aug. 21, 1974 Appl. No.: 499,178

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 383,255,July 27, 1973, which is a division of Ser. No. 263,605, June 16, 1972,Pat. No. 3,795,605, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 53,402,July 9, 1970, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.25,938, April 6, 1970, Pat. No. 3,687,834, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 864,851, Oct. 8, 1969, abandoned, whichis a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 811,421, March 28, 1969,abandoned.

US. Cl. 204/180 R; 204/186 Int. Cl B0lk 5/00 Field of Search 204/180 R,186, 299

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Mel 204/180 R PrimaryExaminerJohn H. Mack Assistant ExaminerA. C. Prescott Attorney, Agent,or FirmCandor, Candor & Tassone [5 7] ABSTRACT Method havingelectrostatic means for removing particles from a fluid containing thesame, the electrostatic means comprising charged electrode meanselectrically insulated from the fluid so that the electrostatic fieldthereof draws the particles into exit means of a passage defining meanshaving the fluid therethrough. Such charged electrode means create aplurality of a1- ternately arranged non-uniform fields across the fluidin the passage means so that the particles enter the exit means adjacentthe more intense portions of the non-uniform fields, such electrodesalso creating electroconvection in said fluid. Such passage means cancomprise means for straight laminar flow of the fluid therethrough bybeing disposed adjacent or in another passage means having a particlereceiving fluid stream flow therethrough. Such other passage means canreceive particles of opposite polarity to neutralize the electric fieldcreated by charged particle separation.

10 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures SHEET TIA ll'llll.

QWENTED JUL 8 1975 SHEET METHOD FOR REMOVING AND/OR SEPARATING PARTICLESFROM FLUID CONTAINING THE SAME This application is acontinuation-in-part application of its copending parent patentapplication, Ser. No. 383,255, filed Jul. 27, 1973, which, in turn, is adivisional application of its copending parent patent application, Ser.No. 263,605, filed Jun. 16, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,795,605, which, inturn, is a continuation-inpart application of its copending parentpatent application, Ser. No. 53,402, filed Jul. 9, 1970, abandoned infavor of this application and which, in turn, is a continuation-in-partpatent application of its copending parent patent application, Ser. No.25,938, now US. Pat. No. 3,687,834, filed Apr. 6, 1970, which, in turn,is a continuation-in-part of its copending parent patent application,Ser. No. 864,851, filed Oct. 8, 1969, now abandoned, which, in turn, isa continuation-in-part patent application of its copending parent patentapplication, Ser. No. 811,421, filed Mar. 28, 1969, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to an improved method for removing and/orseparating particles from a fluid containing the same.

A feature of this invention is to provide a method for removing and/orseparating particles from a fluid containing the same, whether the fluidbe gaseous or liquid and whether the particles are charged particles orneutral particles.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a passagedefining means having inlet means and outlet means and an exit meansintermediate the inlet and outlet means. Means are provided fordirecting the particle containing fluid into the inlet means.Electrostatic means are provided for attracting at least some of theparticles toward the exit means solely by an electrostatic attractionthereof so that the attracted particles will pass out through the exitmeans. Means are provided for removing the particle reduced fluid fromthe outlet means. The electrostatic means can comprise charged electrodemeans electrically insulated from the fluid so that the particles areattracted to the exit means solely by the electrostatic field forcecreated by the electrode means whereby an electrical current is notpassed through the fluid. The electrostatic means can createelectroconvection in the fluid of the passage defining means. Ifdesired, the passage defining means can provide for laminar flow of thefluid therethrough while still causing the particles to pass out of theexit means thereof. The various passage defining means can be soarranged that the field effect produced by charged particle separationis substantially neutralized.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedmethod for removing and/or separating particles and the like from afluid containing the same, the method of this invention having one ormore of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown ordescribed.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating electrodes andseparators for providing one embodiment of the method and apparatus ofthis invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a vertical broken and fragmentary crosssectional view of theapparatus of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a broken and fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 33of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an improved apparatusand method of this invention, FIG. 4 being taken substantially on line44 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and illustrates another embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating how each row ofelectrode means for the structure of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be formed from asingle sheet of material.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 and illustratesanother embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates how each row ofelectrode means of the embodiment of FIG. 9 can be formed from a singlesheet of material.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the method of utilizing aplurality of passage defining means of this invention for seriallyremoving particles from various branch flows of fluid.

FIG. 12 is an end view of a sheet of material for making a passagedefining means of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrates theuse of the sheet of material of FIG. 12 in forming another embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 andillustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l515 of FIG. 14 and isrotated FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 and illustrates anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 and illustrates another embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l818 of FIG. 17 and isrotated 90.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 and illustrates another embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and illustrates another embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 21-21 of FIG. 20 and isrotated 90.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 and illustrates another embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 21or FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view illustrating part of the passage meansof the device illustrated in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view illustrating anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.25.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating anotherembodiment of the electrode means for the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3.

While a new embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 andutilizes the various features of the aforementioned patent applications,it is deemed best to first fully describe the embodiments of FIGS. 426so that a complete understanding of such features can be applied to theembodiment of FIGS. l-3.

Accordingly, reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein an improvedmethod and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral and comprises a tubular passage defining means 11formed from electrically insulating material and having an inlet end ormeans 12 and an outlet end or means 13 with a plurality of exit means 14intermediate the inlet means 12 and the outlet means 13 in apredetermined arrangement for a purpose hereinafter described.

For example, each exit means 14 can be formed integrally with thepassage defining means 11 and has an opening 15 adjacent the internalperipheral surface 16 of the passage defining means 11, the exit means14 being arranged into aligned rows 14A and 148 that are disposedparallel to each other and on opposite sides of the passage definingmeans 11 in a staggering relationship so that one of the exit means 14in the lower row 14B illustrated in FIG. 4 is disposed substantiallyhalf way between an adjacent pair of exit means 14 in the upper row 14Aillustrated in FIG. 4.

Adjacent each exit means 14 on the upstream side thereof, a smallelectrode means 17 is disposed in the electrical insulating material 18of the passage defining means 11 so as to be disposed out of electricalcontact with any liquid that would be passing through the passagedefining means 11, each electrode 17 being suitably shaped, such asbeing pointed or the like, to enhance the degree of electrostaticattraction by the resulting non-uniform field as will be apparenthereinafter. Diametrical y opposite each small electrode 17 is a largeelectrode means 20 also disposed in the electrical insulating means 18of the passage defining means 11 so as to be electrically insulated fromany liquid passing through the passage defining means 11. As illustratedin the drawings, the large electrode means 20 is substantiallysemicircular as illustrated in FIG. 5 and is substantially bisected byits respective opposed small electrode 17.

In this manner, it can be seen that there are two rows 17A, 20A and 17B,20B of electrode means 17 and 20 disposed in parallel aligned relationon opposite sides of the passage defining means 11.

Thus, in each row 17A, 20A or 17B, 20B of electrode means 17 and 20, alarge electrode means 20 is interposed in spaced relation between eachadjacent pair of small electrode means 17 of the same row thereofwhereby each large electrode means 20 is disposed between each exitmeans 14 disposed in the same row therewith.

The electrode means 17 and 20 are adapted to be charged by anelectrostatic means 21 illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein one potential ofthe electrostatic means 21 is interconnected by suitable lead means 22to all of the electrode means 17 and 20 in the upper row 17A, 20A ofelectrodes and the opposite potential of the electrostatic means 21 isinterconnected by lead means 23 to all of the electrode means 17 and 20in the lower row 17B, 20B of electrode means for the passage definingmeans 11.

For example, when viewing FIG. 4, the electrostatic means 21 is adaptedto charge the electrode means 17 and 20 in the lower row 17B, 20B with apositive potential and to charge the electrode means 17 and 20 in theupper row 17A, 20A with an opposite negative charge.

In this manner, non-uniform electric fields are created between eachpair of opposed electrode means 17 and 20 with such non-uniform fieldsbeing indicated by the reference numeral 24 in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thenonuniform electrostatic fields 24 are so arranged that the more intenseportion of each electrostatic field 24 between each pair of opposedsmall and large electrode means 17 and 20 is adjacent to the opening 15of an exit means 14 disposed adjacent the small electrode 17 of theparticular electrostatic field 24.

In this manner, it is believed that when fluid is delivered into theinlet means of the passage defining means 11 by a directing means 25,each electrostatic field 24 operates on the particles thereof in such amanner that the positively charged particles as well as some of theneutral or uncharged particles are drawn to the negatively chargedelectrode means 17 and 20 in the upper row 17A, 20B of electrode meanswhile the negatively charged particles and some of the neutral oruncharged particles are drawn toward the positively charged electrodemeans 17 and 20 in the lower row 17B, 20B of electrode means.

Because the more intense portion of each electrostatic field 24 isadjacent the opening 15 of a particular exit means 14, it can be seenthat as the fluid passes from left to right in FIG. 4 through thepassage defining means 11, the first left-hand electrostatic field 24will tend to gather the positively charged particles, as well as some ofthe neutral particles, and cause the same to move along theelectrostatic field 24 toward the small electrode 17 adjacent theopening 15 of the first lefthand upper exit means 14 so that the samewill pass out through the exit means 15 with a small portion of thefluid passing through the passage defining means 11 from left to right.Such first electrostatic field 24 while having a less intensive portionadjacent the first lefthand large electrode means 20, nevertheless, willtend to attract some of the negatively charged particles toward thelower portion of the passage defining means 11 so that when the same areconveyed further to the right by the means 25 passing the fluid throughthe passage defining means 11, the same will enter the more intenseportion of the second left-hand electrostatic field 24 which is adjacentthe inlet means 15 of the first left-hand lower exit means 14 so thatthe collected negatively charged particles, as well as some of theneutral particles, together with a small portion of the fluid passingthrough the passage defining means 1 1 will pass out through thatparticular exit means 14.

The second left-hand electrostatic field 24 likewise has the lessintense portion thereof adjacent the large electrode 20 thereof but willstill gather some of the positively charged particles that havepassedthe first exit means 14 toward the upper portion of the passagedefining means 11 so that the same will enter the more intense portionof the electrostatic field 24 which is third from the left and isadjacent the opening 15 of the right hand upper exit means 14.

Thus, it can be seen that as the fluid passes from left to right in FIG.4, portions of the positively charged particles as well as part of theneutral particles thereof are removed from the fluid out through theupper row 14A of exit means 14 while the negatively charged particles aswell as some of the neutral particles are removed out through the bottomrow 14B of exit means 14 and, depending upon the particles of the fluidand the number of exit means 14, substantially particle free fluid willreach the outlet means 13 of the passage defining means ll to be removedby a moving means 26.

Therefore, since the electrode means 17 and 20 of this invention are notdisposed in electrical contact with the fluid passing through thepassage defining means 11, no current flow or loss is created and thecharged particles are merely moved toward the particular exit means 14by the force of the non-uniform fields 24 in the manner previouslydesribed so that the only work required by the apparatus and methodofthis invention is the work required to force the fluid through thepassage defining means 11. H

However, it is well known that if the passage defining means 11 istilted at an angle with its inlet means 12 being higher than its outletmeans 13, gravity will provide the work for passing a liquid through thepassage defining means 11 provided a sufficient head of liquid isprovided at the inlet means 12 thereof.

Also, it is to be understood that while the passage defining means llhas been illustrated and described as having an upper row 14A of exitmeans 14 and a lower row 14B of exit means 14, such exit means 14 can beprovided on opposed sides of the passage defining means 11 in opposedrelation rather than across the top and bottom of the passage definingmeans 11 as described and illustrated. I I

The flow of fluid from the fluid supply means 25 for the passagedefining means 11 can be so controlled relative to the sizes of the exitmeans 14 and the fluid receiving means 26 that sufficient fluid can besupplied by the means 25 into the passage defining means 11 withoutrequiring a stepped reduction in the crosssectional dimension of thepassage defining means 11 downstream from each exit means 14. Forexample, the exit means 14 can each have restriction means therein so asto limit the amount of fluid passing therethrough and the outlet means13 could also have a restriction means therein to limit the amount offluid passing through the outlet means 13 whereby the rate of flowthrough the conduit means 11 can be readily controlled in relation tothe amount of fluid entering the inlet means 12 thereof, as desired.

While the various features of this invention have been described asproviding the non-uniform electrostatic field means by having externalmeans continuously charging the electrode means 17 and 20 in' themannerpreviouslydescribed, it is to be understood that permanentnon-uniform electrostatic fields can be provided by utilizing suitablyshaped permanent electrets, such as the electret material fully setforth in the U.S-. Pat.No. 3,458,713 issued Jul. 29, 1969.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,458,713 there is disclosed'an electret material thatcan provide a'high electric field of sensibly permanent duration and afull disclosure is provided as to how such electret material can beformed, the resulting electret being described as the electric analog ofa permanent magnet.

It is believed that such electret material when formed in sheet formwill have one polarity on one side thereof and an equal and oppositepolarity on the other side thereof with such material permanentlymaintaining such polarity or charge for a long period oftime, e.g.,years.

Therefore, it is one of the features of this continuation-in-partapplication to disclose how such electret material can be utilizedto'practice the features of this invention.

Accordingly, reference is now made to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 of this inventionwherein another method and apparatus of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 10A and the parts thereof similar tothe method and apparatus 10 of FIG. 4 are indicated by like referenceletter A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the method and apparatus 10Acomprises atubular passage defining means llA having inlet means 12A and outletmeans 13A to be respectively interconnected to the fluid feeding means25 and removing means 26 in the manner previously described, the'passagedefining means 11A having a plurality of exit means 14A provided withentrances 15A in a manner similar to the passage defining means 11 ofFIG. 4.

Howeverfthe electrode means for providing the non-uniform electrostaticfields across the passage defining means 11A with the more intenseportions thereof respectively adjacent the entrance means 15 of the exitmeans 14A are formed from similar strips of electret material such asthe electret strip 25 illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 8,the electret strip 25 has opposed surfaces 26 and 27 respectivelyprovided with like opposed permanent charges in the manner fully setforth in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,458,713. Thereafter, thestrip 25 is slit at its top and bottom edges 28 and 29 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 8 in an alternating fashion so that angled fins 30can be formed therefrom in the manner illustrated in Figure 8. Theresulting electret strip 25 is embedded in the insulating material ofthe passage defining means 11A as illustrated in FIGS. 3' and 4 wherebyeach finned part 30, by being folded in the manner illustrated in FIG.7, cooperates with the unfolded part 30 of an oppositely disposed strip25 to provide a respective and permanent non-uniform electrostatic fieldwith the more intense portion thereof adjacent a particular entrancemeans 15A of an exit means 14A.

Of course, the electret strip 25 utilized for the lower set of exitmeans 14A has the side thereof facing the upper electret strip 25oppositely'charged to the facing side of the upper electret strip so asto provide the nonuniform electrostatic fields in the manner previouslydescribed for the purposes previously described. In order to"pr'eventthe fluid passing through the passage defining means 11A from actuallyengaging the finned portions 30 of each electret strip 25 adjacent theirrespective exit means 14A, the entrance 25A of each exit means 14A isbifurcated around the particular finned portion 30 as illustrated by thepassages 31 and 32 in FIG. 7 which rejoin on the other side of theparticular finned portion30. Thus, even the finned portions 30 areprotected from direct contact with the fluid or other material beingdirected through the passage defining means llA. a

In this manner, since the electret material is forming permanentnon-uniform electrostatic fields across the passage defining means 11A,the non-uniform electrostatic fields function in the manner previouslydescribed to remove the particles in the manner previously described.

Of course, the electret strip 25 can have the parts thereof forming themore intense portions of the electrostatic fields formed in otherconfigurations as desired. i

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein anothermethod and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 10B and parts thereof similar to the apparatus 10A areindicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the slit portions of each electretstrip 25A have been formed into cylindrical parts 33 to respectivelycooperate with unformed parts 34 of the opposite strip 25A in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 9 to provide the permanent non-uniform electrostaticfields across the passage defining means 11B with the more intenseportions thereof being adjacent the entrances 15B of the exit means 14B.

Should it be found that the electret material can be of the type whichwill not be readily attacked by the particle containing fluid actuallyengaging the same or have the life or the permanency of its chargechanged in an adverse manner, the electret material itself could formthe passage defining means.

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein anothermethod and apparatus of thisinvention is generally indicated by thereference numeral C and parts similar to the means 10 previouslydescribed are indicated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter C. i

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a single strip of material 35 that can beformed with a permanent charge is only charged in the areas 36 and 37thereof in the manner as set forth in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.3,458,713 except that each part 36 has its upper side with a positivecharge and its lower side with a negative charge while each part 37 hasits upper side with a negative charge and the lower side thereof with apositive charge. In addition, each charged area 37 is greater than itscooperating area 36 except that each area 36 has a permanent chargegreater per square inch thereof than the charge per square inch in thecooperating area 37 thereof so that when the strip 35 is subsequentlyformed into the tubular form as illustrated in FIG. 13, each two chargedareas 36 and 37 cooperate together to define a non-uniform field acrossthe passage defining means 10C with the.more intense portion thereofbeing adjacent an entrance means 15C of an exit means 14C for thepurpose previously described.

Therefore, by taking the strip of material 36 and selectively andpermanently forming the same into electret areas throughout the lengththereof so that when the same issubsequently formed into tubular form, aplurality of permanent non-uniform electrostatic fields can be providedin an alternating manner across the tubular structure of 11C in much thesame manner as the non-uniform fields provided by the charged electrodes17 and 20 of FIG. 4 and the electret strips in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Also, it is to be understood that it may be found that when utilizingthe electret feature of this invention, the larger electrode of eachcooperating pair of electrets can have a greater or lesser charge persquare inch thereof than the charge per square inch of the smallerelectrode portion cooperating therewith to provide the desired resultsfor removing the contaminants from the liquid passing through theparticular passage defining means.

Further, it is to be understood that the electrode configurations ofFIGS. 6-13 are not limited to electrets as such electrode configurationcould provide for externally charged electrodes, as desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention provides an improvedmethod and apparatus for removing and- /or separating particles from afluid or the like carrying the same by electrostatic means whichcomprises charged electrode means or electret means electricallyinsulated from the fluid or the like that is passed throughthe passagedefining means or arranged so as to be free from adverse effects of thefluid.

While the various passage defining means of this invention have beenillustrated with each exit means thereof merely expelling its fluid, itis to be understood that each exit means could be the source for feedingfluid into a new passage defining means constructed in the same manneras the upstream passage defining means.

For example, reference is made to FIG. 11 where such a network ofpassage defining means 11 of this invention are interconnected togetherwhereby various concentrates, etc., can be collected at desired pointsdownstream thereof.

While the various passage defining means of this invention previouslydescribed have each been provided with projections 15 extending into thefluid passage 16 to providemeans for exiting the attracted particles outof the exit means 14 in the manner previously described, it may be foundthat such projections 15 provide too much turbulence for a desired fluidflow rate through the passage defining means. If so, then a true laminarflow means can be provided for the fluid with the particles removingfeatures of this invention being substantially the same.

For example, reference is now made to FIGS. 14 and 15 wherein anothermethod and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 10D with parts thereof similar to the other methodsand apparatus of this invention being indicated by like referencenumerals followed by the reference letter D.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a first passage defining means 11D ismounted concentrically within an outer passage defining means 40 whilebeing supported therein by a support means 41 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 15 to provide a space or passage 42 between the conduits orpassage defining means 11D and 40. The inner passage defining means 11Dhas openings or exit means 14D passing therethrough in an alternatingmanner along diametrically opposed rows as illustrated in FIG. 14 whilethe outer tubular member carries a plurality of smaller electrode means17D and large electrode means 20D in a manner similar to the electrodemeans 17 and 20 of FIG. 4 so as to cooperate together to providealternating non-uniform electrostatic fields across the passage definingmeans 11D with the fields respectively having the more intense portionsthereof passing through the exit means 14D as illustrated in FIGS. 14and 15.

Thus, since all of the electrode means 17D and 20D in the upper rowthereof are of a like charge while the small and large. electrode means17D and 20D in the bottom row thereof in FIG. 14 are of a like and of anopposite polarity from the upper row, particles of one charge will beattracted out through the upper exit means 14D while particles of theopposite polarity will be directed out of the lower exit means 14D inthe same manner as provided by the apparatus 10 of FIG. 4 except thatthe entire fluid flow through the inner conduit means 11D is a truelaminar flow thereof and the flow between the conduits 11D and 40 isalso a true laminar flow so that the oppositely attracted particlesbeing received in the space 42 between the conduits 11D and 40 will mixto complement each other whereby there will be no particle travel backthrough the exit means 14D into the inner conduit means 11D.

Thus, it can be seen that the apparatus 10D provides for true laminarflow through the inner conduit means 11D while still utilizing theprinciples of alternating non-uniform electrostatic fields for thepurpose previously described.

Also, instead of having externally charged small and large electrodemeans 17D and 20D, the alternating non-uniform electrostatic fieldarrangement of FIGS. 14 and 15 can be provided by a permanent electretstructure previously described by forming the outer conduit 40 ofelectret material in substantially the same manner as provided by thematerial 35 in FIGS. 12 and 13. Alternately, such electret material canbe embedded into insulating material forming the outer conduit 40, ifdesired.

For example, reference is now made to FIG. 16 wherein another embodimentof this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10Eand parts thereof similar to the apparatus 10D are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter E.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the outer conduit means 40E has an upper rowof alternating small and large electrodes 36E and 37E in a mannersimilar to the sheet 35 so that alternating non-uniform electrostaticfields can be provided between the large and small electrode means 3615and 37E so that the more intensive portion thereof will be passingthrough an opening means 14E in the inner conduit 11E to produce thenon-uniform electrostatic field effect as illustrated in FIG. 14.

Of course, in the embodiments of FIGS. 14-17, as

well as in the embodiments of FIGS. 17-19, the support means 41 betweenthe inner and outer conduits could be located in a 6 oclock positionrather than at the 9 oclock position illustrated to better supportsupport the inner conduit.

7 Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, another embodiment of this inventionis generally indicated by the reference numeral 10F and parts thereofsimilar to the apparatus 10D of FIG. 14 will be indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter F.

As illustrated in FIGS. ,17 and 18, the outer conduit means 40F carriesthe small electrode means 17F while the inner conduit means 11F carriesthe large electrode means 20F that cooperate therewith to provide thealternating, non-uniform electrostatic fields respectively having theintense portions thereof passing through opening means 14F in the innerconduit means 11F to provide the non-uniform electrostatic field effectillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 for the purpose previously described. Theexternal charging means 21F can charge the large electrode means 20Fthrough the supporting arrangement 41F between the inner and outerconduits 11F and 10F in the manner illustrated in FIG. 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the electrode arrangement of the embodiment10F of FIGS. 17 and 18 can be provided by the embodiment 10G wherein theouter conduit 40G is provided with the small electrets 36G while theinner conduit 11G is provided with the large electret areas 37G toprovide the alternating non-uniform electrostatic field arrangementsimilar to the field arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 17 and l8.

Therefore, it can be seen that in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.14l9, a laminar flow of the liquid or fluid passing through the innerconduit means is provided as a laminar flow of liquid or fluid is alsobeing provided in the space between the inner and outer conduits so thatthere is no disturbance in the fluid flow even though the particles arebeing moved into the space between the two conduits by the alternatingnonuniform electrostatic field patterns previously described.

Also, it is to be understood that any adverse fields being created byionic separation in the embodiments of FIGS. 4-19 can be neutralized inwell known manners, such as by bringing ions of opposite polarityadjacent the removed ions such as in the embodiments of FIGS. 20 and 25hereinafter described. However, it is believed that ionic neutralizationwill take place in the inner, outer conduit arrangement of FIGS. 14-19because of the non-uniform field arrangement.

Should it be desired to provide the laminar flow previously describedthrough the inner conduit without providing a completely surroundingouter conduit means as provided in the embodiments 14l9 for receivingthe removed contaminants, another embodiment of this invention can beutilized and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10H withparts thereof similar to apparatus 10D being indicated by like referencenumerals followed by the reference letter H.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, a main conduit means 11H is providedwith the same carrying a plurality oflarge electrode means 20H whichrespectively cooperate with small electrode means 17H respectively beingcarried by an outer tubular conduit means 43 snaking about and beingsecured to the conduit means 11H in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 20,21 and 23 so that the small electrode means 17H being carried by theouter conduit means 43 will be opposite an opening 14H in the mainconduit 11H and cooperate with a large electrode 20H with the intenseportion of the resulting field passing through the respective opening14H.

Since the fluid flow in the outer winding conduit 43 must travel agreater distance between adjacent exit means 14H than the distance thefluid in the inner conduit means 11H must travel, the passage definingmeans 43 can be suitably inwardly necked at areas 44 between enlargedportions 45 thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 so as to speed upthe flow of fluid therethrough because the large portion 45 thereof willbe adjacent the exit means 14H, the enlarged portion 45 slowing down thefluid flow therethrough so as to be of the same speed as the speed offlow of the fluid passing through the larger conduit means 11H.

In this manner, as an upper small electrode means 17H of the embodiment10H of FIG. 20 attracts its particular charged particles into thepassage means 43 through the upper exit 14H, such charged particles arebrought down to the next exit means 14H in the lower row of electrodemeans so as to be combined with the oppositely charged particles beingbrought into the passage defining means 43 by the lower electrode means17H so as to tend to neutralize the particle content in the passagedefining means 43 whereby there will be no attempt for such particlestherein to reenter the main conduit means 11H through the passage means14H.

Another embodiment for providing true laminar flow of the fluid havingthe particles removed therefrom is generally indicated by the referencenumeral 50 in FIGS. 25 and 27 and comprises a housing means 51 having aplurality of compartments or passage means 52A, 52B, 52C, 52E, 52F,etc., circularly arranged throughout the length thereof whereby theparticles in passages 52B and 52E are respectively removed either intothe intervening passing means 52C or into the outboard passage means 52Aand 52F as will be apparent hereinafter.

The walls 53 and 54 between the compartments 52B, 52C, 52E have exitmeans 55 passing therethrough in a manner similar to the exit means 14Bpreviously described while the walls 56 and 57 respectively between thecompartments 52A, 52B, ad 52E, 52F likewise have exit means 55 passingtherethrough as illustrated in FIG. 26 so as to cooperate with large andsmall electrode means 58 and 59 similar to the electrode means 17 and 20in producing alternating non-uniform electrostatic fields across thepassage means 528 and 52E as illustrated in FIG. 26 for alternatelyremoving the particles thereof out through the exits 55 so that chargedparticles of one polarity from the compartment 52B entering thecompartment 52C will be joined by oppositely charged particles from thecompartment 528 entering the compartment 52C. This feature is providedby having the external charging means 60 charging small electrodes 59that operate on the exits 55 of the wall 53 with a charge opposite fromthe charge on the small electrodes 59 which operate on the exit means 55in the wall 54.

Similarly the particles being drawn into the compartment 52A from thecompartment 52B through the exits 55 and in the wall 56 will be combinedwith oppositely charged particles also being drawn into the chamber 52Afrom the next adjacent passage means on the other side of the wall 61 inthe manner previously described. Likewise the compartment 52F is drawingparticles of one polarity through the exit means from the compartment52E through the exit means 56 of the wall 57 into the compartment 52F tobe combined with oppositely charged particles being drawn from thecompartment on the other side of the wall 62 in the manner previouslydescribed.

Therefore, it can be seen that the embodiment 50 of this inventionpermits alternating chambers in a circular arrangement of such chambersto be progressively decontaminated while every other passagetherethrough has the concentration of particles therein increased, theentire fluid flow through the various passages of the embodiment 50being true laminar flow arrangements.

In regard to FIG. 22, it can be seen that the arrangement providedtherein is substantially the same as FIGS. 20 and 21 except that thelarge electrodes comprise electret area 371 carried by the main passagedefining means 11J and that the small electrodes comprise electret areas36J carried by the small winding outer passage means 43J.

Thus, while it is believed that the embodiments of FIGS. 4-13 willremove particles by the alternating non-uniform electrostatic fieldarrangements previously described even though the exit means 14 haveprojections extending into the main flow streams, the various featuresof this invention could be utilized with true laminar flow of the fluidshaving the particles 12 removed therefrom as provided by the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. l4-26.

It can be seen that in each of the previously described embodiments ofthis invention it may be found that the magnitude of the potentialdifferential between each pair of cooperating large and small electrodesthat creates a particular non-uniform electrostatic field need notnecessarily be relatively large because it is believed that it is theintensity of the field lines adjacent the smaller electrode at the exitmeans of the apparatus that provides the greatest attraction for theoppositely charged particles as well as for the neutral particles, etc.,and permits the same to be gathered toward each other and forced out ofthe exit means even though the like charges thereon tend to push themapart whereby adverse field forces created by charged particlesseparation are believed to be minimized. Of course, large potentialdifferentials can be utilized if desired.

Further, when utilizing the above-described features in connection withan oppositely moving charged particle separation stream, such as inFIGS. 25 and 26, it can readily be seen that any adverse field forcesprovided by charged particle separation are substantially eliminated.

Another embodiment of this invention for utilizing the above-describedfeatures is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and is generally indicated by thereference numeral 70, the apparatus and method of this inventioncomprising a plurality of plates disposed in stacked relation to definea plurality of parallel passages therebetween in much the same manner asprovided by the well known electrodialysis process. Thus, the variousplates of the apparatus 70 can be stacked in the vertical positionillustrated in FIG. 2 so that fluid flow therebetween can be upwardly ordownwardly in a vertical direction or the plates can be disposedhorizontally so that the fluid flow therebetween will be in a horizontaldirection.

In any event, the apparatus 70 comprises a plurality of electret plates71 each being suitably formed in a like manner to define a plurality oflarge rectangular or square sections 72 interconnected together at thecorners thereof and interconnected intermediate the same in a horizontaldirection by small rectangular sections 73 as illustrated. The electretplates 71 are arranged in the stack 70 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so thatthe adjacent facing sides thereof has an opposite charge thereon wherebyit can be seen that the plate 71A in FIG. 2 has the left hand side 74Athereof provided with a positive charge while the right hand side 75Athereof is provided with a negative charge. The electret plate 718 ofthe apparatus 70 has its side 74B also provided with a positive chargeand its side 75B provided with a negative charge and since the largesections 728 of the plate 718 are disposed opposite the small sections73A of the plate 71A as illustrated in FIG. 2, a non-uniform field 76 iscreated between each adjacent small section 73A and large section 72B ofthe plates 71A and 718 with the more intense portion thereof beingadjacent the section 73A of the plate 71A as illustrated by the forcelines in FIG. 2. Also, the small sections 7313 of the plate 718cooperate with the large sections 72A of the plate 71A to define thenon-uniform fields 77 having the more intense portions thereof directedtoward the plate 718 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Likewise, the plate 71Cof FIG. 2 has its side 74C positively charged and its side 75Cnegatively charged so as to cooperate with the side 74A of the plate 71Ato provide the alternately arranged non-uniform fields 78 and 79respectively having the more intense portions thereof directed towardthe plates 71A and 71C. If desired, the charge per square inch of thesmaller sections 73 of each plate 71 can be larger, smaller or the sameas the charge per square inch of the larger sections 72 of the sameplate or the plate 71 that is to cooperate therewith. Also, each plate71 could be encapsulated in insulating material, if desired.

A pair of separator plates 80 are disposed between each adjacent pair ofelectret plates 71 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein theplates 80A and 80B are disposed between the electret plates 71A and 718while the separator plates 80C and 80D are disposed between the electretplates 71C and 71A with the separator plates 80 being disposed closelyadjacent electret plates 71 rather than towards its adjacent separatorplate 80 in the manner illustrated'in FIG. 2. Each separator plate 80has a plurality of slots 81 passing therethrough with each slot 81 beingso arranged that the same is located adjacent the more intense portionof a particular electrostatic field 76, 77, 78 or 79 in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 2. In this manner, the particles, etc., attracted bythe non-uniform fields 76-79 will respectively pass through the openingmeans 81 in the separator plates 80 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The plates 71 and 80 are arranged in the stack 70 with substantially thespacing illustrated by suitable spacers (not shown) whereby theseparator plates 80A and 80D define a vertical passage means 82therebetween which receives the electret plate 71A while the separatorplates 80C and 80D define a relatively wide vertical passage 83therebetween. The separator plates 80A and 80B define a relatively widepassage means 84 therebetween. The electret plate 71C that is disposedbetween the separator plate 80C and another separator plate 80E isdisposed in a relatively narrow vertical passage means 85 while theelectret plate 718 is disposed within a relatively narrow verticalpassage 86 defined between the separator plate 80B and another separatorplate 80F. Thus, the stack 70 can be comprised of any number of aplurality of cooperating electret plates 71 and the separator plates80disposed therebetween in the module arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1with such module arrangement repeating itself any number of times untilthe outside walls or end plates 87 and 88 are reached as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The left hand end plate 87 cooperates with an adjacent spacer 800 todefine a narrow vertical passage 89 therebetween which receives ametallic plate 90 formed in the same manner as an electret plate 71except that the same is externally charged by a charging device 91 inany suitable manner to have a charge thereon opposite to the charge onthe facing side of the electret plate 71 that cooperates therewith toprovide the non-uniform fields 76A and 77A illustrated in FIG. 2.Likewise, the end plate 88 cooperates with a separator plate 80H todefine a narrow vertical passage 92 therebetween which receives ametallic electrode plate 93 formed in the same configuration as anelectret plate 71 and is charged by the charging device 91 to have acharge thereon opposite to the charge on the facing side of the electretplate 71 that cooperates therewith to deiin'e the non-uniform fields 78Aand 79A illustrated in FIG. 2. Of course, the plates 90 and 93 could becontinuous throughout their length and still provide the non-uniformeffect illustrated in con- 14 nection with the electret plates 71C and71B. Thus, the plates 90 and 93 could be the end conductive plates of aconventional electrodialysis stack.

In this manner, it can be seen that as a particle containing fluid flowsvertically downwardly through the various vertical passages of theapparatus stack illustrated in FIG. 2 and into the plane of the stack 70as illustrated by the top cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the adverseparticles in the passage 83 are separated with the negative particles,as well as part of the neutral particles thereof moving through theopenings 81 of the separator plate D into the vertical passage 82 whilethe adverse positive particles, as well as part of the neutral particlesmove through the openings 81 of the plate 80C into the vertical passage85. Likewise, the adverse positive particles in the vertical passage 84move through the openings 81 of the separator plate 80A into thevertical passage 82 to combine with the negative particles being drawntherein through the separator plate 80B so that neutralizing takes placeon any charged particle separation influence on the charge particles inthe passages 83 and 84. Obviously, the adverse negative particles in thepassage 84 pass out through the openings 81 in the separator plate 80Binto the vertical passage 86.

In this manner, as the fluid flows vertically downwardly in FIG. 2 thefluid in every other passage thereof has the adverse particles thereofremoved out through exit means of the particular passage means to bereceived in passage means that contain the electret plates 71 so as tocombine with oppositely charged and removed particles to provide aconcentrated and neutral particle fluid flow in the passages that havethe electret plates 71 whereas the fluid in the passages between theseparator plates 80 gradually have the particles therein removed toprovide substantially particle free fluid at the lower ends thereof.

By having the end electrode plates and 93 oppositely charged, the samemaintain the neutralizing effect at the outboard wide passages at theopposed ends of the stack 70 so that as the charged particles pass tothe plates 90 and 93, the same gain or loss electrons as the case may bein the same manner provided at the end electrode plates of theaforementioned electrodialysis process. Also, the end plates 90 and 93provide the field therebetween as in the conventional electrodialysisprocess for that conventional purpose in removing the particles, etc.

However, it is to be understood that the electrets and separator modulesas illustrated in FIG. 1 could be so constructed and arranged that thesame can be disposed in a circular array thereof so that no externallycharged plates 90 and 93 need be provided therein as the circular arrayof passages would cooperate with each other in a manner thatneutralization of the charged particle separation would be provided inthe same manner that it is provided by the passages 85, 83, 82, 84 and86 illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Also, it may be found thatseparator plates 80 need not be utilized as concentration anddeconcentration may take place without charged particle diffusion beingan adverse problem.

If it should be found that the vertical flow through the stack 70creates too much turbulence at the openings 81 in the separator plates80 so that charged particle diffusion takes place, the openings 81 inthe separator plates 80 could be filled with charged particle selectiveor charged particle non-selective membranes in much the same manner asprovided by the electrodialysis process so as to prevent chargedparticle migration once the charged particles have passed through theseparator 80 by the aforementioned non-uniform fields. Alternately, theentire separator plate 80 could be a membrane sheet without any openingstherein for the purpose of charged particle movement therethrough in thesame manner as provided by the electrodialysis process. Thus, it may befound that the non-uniform field effects of this invention aid incausing the particles to move through the various known membranes at afaster rate than provided by the conventional electrodialysis process.

In any event, it can be seen that a more rapid separation takes place ateach wide passage, such as passage 83 or 84, of the stack 70 than wouldbe the case when only the outboard electrode plates 90 and 93 areutilized in a stack as provided in the electrodialysis process becauseat each wide passage 83 or 84, etc. the non-uniform fields are beingutilized to rapidly move the charged particles in opposite directionsfor departicling of the fluid in the passage having the non-uniformfields imposed across the same.

Instead of utilizing electret plates 71 to produce the opposite chargesides as provided by each electret plate 71, an electrode plate 100 ofFIG. 27 could be utilized in place of each of the electret plates 71inbetween the separator plates 80.

In particular, each electrode plate 100 comprises a pair of metal plates101 and 102 each formed in the same configuration as an electret plate71 and embedded in suitable insulating material 103 to define aplurality of large rectangular or square sections 104 thereof and aplurality of small narrow rectangular sections 105 in much the samemanner as the sections 72 and 73 of the plate 71 except that the metalplates 101 and 102 are separated from each other by the insulatingmaterial 103 and are oppositely charged by suitable external chargingmeans 106 whereby the side 107 of the electret plate 100 could attractpositive particles toward the same while the opposite side 108 wouldattract negative particles toward the same since the plates 101 and 102are respectively provided with a negative and a positive charge.

While each non-uniformed field has been previously described as beingcreated between a pair of electrodes of equal and opposite polarity, itis to be understood that the non-uniform fields of this invention mighteach be formed between a pair of electrodes of like polarity but ofdifferent intensity or be formed between a pair of electrodes one ofwhich is at ground potential and the other of which is at a negative orpositive potential.

It may also be found that the particles removed by the non-uniformfields of this invention could be liquid particles, gaseous particles,ions, etc. contained in the fluid being passed through the passagedefining means of this invention.

It is believed that if the potential differential between the variouselectrodes of each embodiment of this invention that create thepreviously described nonuniform electrostatic fields is of such astrength and/or configuration, the same will create turbulence in thefluid passing through the respective apparatus by the phenomenon knownas electro convection.

For example, see the article, Electrohydrodynamics: A Review of the Roleof Interfacial Shear Stresses, by Melcher et al., pages 1 l l-l46, ofthe Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 1, 1969, and the article,Surface Electro convection, by Malkus et al., pages l323, of theJanuary, 1971, The Physics of Fluids, Vol. IV, No. l, for the theoriesbehind electroconvection.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of applicantss drawings, it can be seenthat ifthe electrostatic non-uniform fields 76, etc. are of sufficientstrength, the same will cause turbulence in the fluid passing throughthe large passages 83, etc. and also in the smaller passages 82, etc.,to thereby cause complete mixing of the fluids in the various passagesthereof for any desired purposes. For example, the mixing of the fluidin the larger passages 83, etc., would prevent polarization at themembranes 80A, etc., whereas the mixing of the fluid in the passages 82,etc., will permit oppositely charged particles to readily neutralizeeach other in the channels 82, etc.

Therefore, if the arrangement of FIG. 2 could be utilized fordesalination purposes, the electroconvection currents being created bythe alternately arranged non-uniform electrostatic fields of thisinvention would prevent polarization at the product-facing sides of themembranes A, etc. and would provide complete neutralization of theoppositely charged ions and particles on the brine-facing sides of themembranes 80A, etc.

Whiles the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beendescribed and illustrated as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillcome within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for separating particles from a fluid carrying the samecomprising the steps of directing said fluid through an inlet means of apassage defining means having an outlet means, electrostaticallydirecting at least some of said particles intermediate said inlet meansand said outlet means solely by an electrostatic action, creatingelectroconvection in said fluid intermediate said inlet means and saidoutlet means, and removing said fluid from said outlet means, said stepsof electrostatically directing at least some of said particles and ofcreating electroconvection in said fluid comprising the step of creatinga plurality of non-uniform electrostatic fields with each field at leastpartially extending across said passage means and with the higherintensity portion of each field being substantially oppositely locatedrelative to the higher intensity portion of an adjacent non-uniformfield.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 and including the step of providingexit means in said passage defining means intermediate said inlet meansand said outlet means thereof, said step of creating said non-uniformelectrostatic fields comprising the step of disposing said fields sothat the higher intensity portions of said fields are respectivelydisposed adjacent said exit means so that at least some of said directedparticles will pass out through said exit means.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of creating saidnon-uniform electrostatic field comprises the step of disposing aplurality of pairs of spaced apart electrodes relative to said passagedefining means with each pair of electrodes creating one of saidnonuniform fields therebetween.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 and including the step ofelectrically insulating said electrodes from said fluid.

5. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of disposing saidpairs of electrodes comprises the step of disposing said pairs ofelectrodes in aligned relation along said passage defining means so thatsaid aligned pairs of electrodes define two rows of electrodes alongsaid passage defining means, and charging the electrodes in the same rowwith a like charge thereon.

6. A method for separating particles from a fluid carrying the samecomprising the steps of disposing said fluid into a plurality ofadjacent passage means, disposing a plurality of electrode means inevery other adjacent passage means so that a non-electrode receivingpassage means is disposed between each pair of adjacent electrodereceiving passage means, and charging and arranging said electrode meansso that each pair of adjacent electrode receiving passage means definesa plurality of non-uniform electrostatic fields each at least extendingpartially across the respective nonelectrode receiving passage meansdisposed therebetween and each with its higher intensity portionsubstantially oppositely located relative to the higher intensityportion of an adjacent field for said respective non-electrode receivingpassage means for acting on said particles in said respectivenon-electrode receiving passage means to cause at least some of saidparticles to migrate to at least one of said electrode receiving passagemeans of said adjacent pair thereof and for creating electroconvectionin said fluid in said respective non-electrode receiving passage means.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 and including the step of disposinga plurality of pairs of separator plate means respectively between eachpair of said electrode receiving passage means whereby eachnon-electrode receiving passage, means is defined between each pair ofadjacent separator plate means.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 and including the step of providingexit means in each pair of adjacent separator plate means adjacent themore intense portions of the non-uniform electrostatic fields for thenon-electrode receiving passage means defined therebetween.

9. A method as set forth in claim 6 and including the step of oppositelycharging each pair of adjacent electrode means.

10. A method as set forth in claim 6 and including the step of creatingelectroconvection in said fluid in each pair of adjacent electrodereceiving passage means with the respective said non-uniformelectrostatic fields

1. A METHOD FOR SEPARATING PARTICLES FROM A FLUID CARRYING THE SAMECOMPRISING THE STEPS OF DIRECTING SAID FLUID THROUGH AN INLET MEANS OF APASSAGE DEFINING MEANS HAVING AN OUTLET MEANS, ELECTROSTATICALLYDIRECTING AT LEAST SOME OF SAID PARTICLES INTERMEDIATE SAID INLET MEANSAND SAID OUTLET MEANS SOLELY BY AN ELECTROSTATIC ACTION, CREATINGELECTROCONVECTION IN SAID FLUID INTERMEDIATE SAID INLET MEANS AND SAIDOUTLET MEANS, AND REMOVING SAID FLUID FROM SAID OUTLET MEANS, SAID STEPSOF ELECTROSTATICALLY DIRECTING AT LEAST SOME OF SAID PARTICLES AND OF 2.A method as set forth in claim 1 and including the step of providingexit means in said passage defining means intermediate said inlet meansand said outlet means thereof, said step of creating said non-uniformelectrostatic fields comprising the step of disposing said fields sothat the higher intensity portions of said fields are respectivelydisposed adjacent said exit means so that at least some of said directedparticles will pass out through said exit means.
 3. A method as setforth in claim 1 wherein said step of creating said non-uniformelectrostatic field comprises the step of disposing a plurality of pairsof spaced apart electrodes relative to said passage defining means witheach pair of electrodes creating one of said non-uniform fieldstherebetween.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 3 and including the stepof electrically insulating said electrodes from said fluid.
 5. A methodas set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of disposing said pairs ofelectrodes comprises the step of disposing said pairs of electrodes inaligned relation along said passage defining means so that said alignedpairs of electrodes define two rows of electrodes along said passagedefining means, and charging the electrodes in the same row with a likecharge thereon.
 6. A method for separating particles from a fluidcarrying the same comprising the steps of disposing said fluid into aplurality of adjacent passage means, disposing a plurality of electrodemeans in every other adjacent passage means so that a non-electrodereceiving passage means is disposed between each pair of adjacentelectrode receiving passage means, and charging and arranging saidelectrode means so that each pair of adjacent electrode receivingpassage means defines a plurality of non-uniform electrostatic fieldseach at least extending partially across the respective non-electrodereceiving passage means disposed therebetween and each with its higherintensity portion substantially oppositely located relative to thehigher intensity portion of an adjacent field for said respectivenon-electrode receiving passage means for acting on said particles insaid respective non-electrode receiving passage means to cause at leastsome of said particles to migrate to at least one of said electrodereceiving passage means of said adjacent pair thereof and for creatingelectroconvection in said fluid in said respective non-electrodereceiving passage means.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 andincluding the step of disposing a plurality of pairs of separator platemeans respectively between each pair of said electrode receiving passagemeans whereby each non-electrode receiving passage means is definedbetween each pair of adjacent separator plate means.
 8. A method as setforth in claim 7 and including the step of providing exit means in eachpair of adjacent separator plate means adjacent the more intenseportions of the non-uniform electrostatic fields for the non-electrodereceiving passage means defined therebetween.
 9. A method as set forthin claim 6 and including the step of oppositely charging each pair ofadjacent electrode means.
 10. A method as set forth in claim 6 andincluding the step of creating electroconvection in said fluid in eachpair of adjacent electrode receiving passage means with the respectivesaid non-uniform electrostatic fields thereof.